Grandma turns 80!

We are all so lucky to have grandma in our lives.

She is such a special lady.

Family Tree Cake.

Grandmas children and their spouses.

Around the cake is all the grand children and great grand children's names.

When I married Neil I was so blessed to have him as a husband.

But one of the greatest gifts was this special lady.

She has been a mother to me for the last 25 years. How lucky am I.

I lost my mom when I had just turned 10 years old and always hoped that when I got married I could again have a mom. I sure have been lucky. She has taught me so many things. Most of the things I have learned from her has been by watching her and seeing a wonderful example. She has helped me and loved me and been so important to me and my family. I only hope to be like her in some small way.

We had been hot all day outside 

and Neil and Aaron had played tennis and wiffle ball and Sammy was sick. 

Not our greatest looks. We were happy to celebrate grandma's 80th birthday with her. 

We missed you McKinsey so much. You were in our hearts all day.

Time

Time goes by so fast. I have been a bad blogger lately. I miss it! That may seem strange but it is my way to document and record my life. It is my journal, my scrapbook. New goal to start blogging more.

We have all been busy and time keeps going by so fast...

Neil is busy with work, his foundation and working out.  He is also busy planning and saving towards our 25th Anniversary trip. He is going to surprise me. He is amazing that way. He has many things in the works and many plans. I love his vest for life and how he makes things happen. Neil is such a hard worker and deserves success. I loved watching him take Aaron to Priesthood and Outback Saturday. That feels my heart with joy. They have been going to Priesthood and Outback every conference session since Aaron turned 12. Neil is one of a kind and I love him so much. He does have a few faults but I think he is perfect!

Aaron is busy with school and work. He is trying to decide what to do for a career. He is done with all electives and most of his core classes. It is time to decide for sure. I say anything that will get him a job. I know some people who graduated last year and they can't get a job. Aaron is dating but nothing too serious yet. Some of his friends are getting married. That seems strange that they are all that old. Aaron is going on a cruise with his friends as soon as school is out. I am so happy for him.

Kinsey is busy with school and she is also working full time. It is a lot and she is alwasy at school or working. She has decided to go Vegan again. I hope this time she doesn't get as sick as she did last time. Fingers crossed. Last week was animal rights week at UVU. Kinsey went to some activities and she was on the news protesting a mink farm. Kinsey loves animals. If only I could get her to give her dog a bath (smile). This week at UVU is service week. This is also something Kinsey is big at doing. She will have another big week. Kinsey is still deciding on school but I think she is wanting to be a therapist. That is a lot of schooling but I know she can do anything she sets her mind to. Kinsey is planning a trip to Seattle this summer. That is her dream place to live some day. I hope it doesn't happen. I am selfish and want her to live close by me.

Sammy is busy with school and her social life. She is looking for a job. They are hard to come by for teens but she is a hard worker. She would love to nanny for the summer or she hopes to get certified and wants to work at a swimming pool. Sammy and I are headed for a mom and me trip to Las Vegas for Spring Break to look for a prom dress and enjoy the sunshine (if there is any). Sammy's friend will be living in New York this summer and we want to go visit her really bad. So hopefully we can swing that. Money really should grow on trees.

Me I am busy with work and house and family etc. I have a hard time talking about me and what I'm busy doing. My mind wanders to all I should be doing or didn't get done. But...I am working on it. I say I am a work in progress. It is kindof my thing.

I came across this saying and I love it. “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell
I so need to do this. I think this may need to be my new motto. Life is so good and full of blessings and so hard and full of worry and heart pains.

I am grateful for my blessings and for a beautiful Easter and Conference. What a combination. It should be like that every year. It made Easter seem more special.

Thanksgiving Weekend

The boys were off playing football and Matt's kids were hanging with Sammy.

Sammy is so good at remembering to take pictures.

I usually forget so we don't have all that many of Thanksgiving Day.

It may look like a Christmas picture but we put up the tree not decorated when we bought it a few days before Thanksgiving. Sammy had each of the kids look thru the newspaper and cut out what they wanted to get for Christmas and then they sent them to Santa. They really put them in the mailbox and then we forgot and the mailman really took them.

A movie later in the day!

The Stone's spent the night on Thanksgiving and the next day we went to Pirate Island Pizza.

Pizza not so good and so expensive. But we had wanted to try it.

Sammy and Eason.

Sammy and Cora.

We did a photo shoot. The sun wasn't shining so the pictures are just so so and it is so drab no green or leaves or snow. I'll post more of the photos shoot later. This is just my family being their crazy selves. They can't help it! Or so they tell me. I love it!

Their funny faces!

Trying to stay warm between photos. It was soo cold.

Sunday Dinner

I love Sundays. It's the day I get to spoil my family and it's the one day during the week we can spend together most of the day. Every Sunday I make Sunday dinner. 

I take requests on what to make. 

Aaron has been able to make the requests since he has been home. 

He missed a lot of Sunday dinners so I figure it is his time. 

Today he requested Steak. I don't normally grill out in the winter. 

But I knew he really wanted steak. So I dug out the grill and grilled up some steaks. 

Aaron loves pineapple especially grilled pineapple from Tucanos. 

While we were eating there over the holidays I told him I would try and grill some pineapple. 

Today I gave it a try. Grilling out, pineapple. Do I have spring fever already?

Here's how I made the pineapple. 

Cut pineapple into spears. Mix up some butter, honey and some 

lime juice and brush on the pineapple. Grill for 5 minutes each side.

The food turned out yummy. 

I fear that Aaron's future wife may not like how much I spoil him.

I apologize in advance. But I LOVE TO!

Holiday Wrap-Up

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season. 

We sure did and I enjoyed every minute of the time I had with my family.

I haven't done that many up loads and so here is my catch up...

We had a nice Christmas Eve Dinner. 

Prime Rib, Baked Potatoes & homemade rolls.

I am so grateful for so many blessings. 

Having my children all home is the best.

We played lots of games. My favorite. 

I got a new game Wits & Wagers. 

Its a really fun game. We played it many times and everyone liked it.

We played Rock Band a few hundred times. 

Everyone is getting so good. 

Just call us The Warners!

Neil is the pro at the drums. He is so fun to watch.

We got new P.J.'s and had lots of fun, laughing and spending time together.

We got presents that we wanted so much.

And some surprises.

We had stockings full of fun and traditions.

We got lots of sleep, had warm fires and yummy food.

We gave presents to those we love.

We were grateful to have Aaron with us this year.

Look at the cool warrior he brought to us from Mexico.

We had friends come and have to go. (Sorry Sammy)

Max was the present Kinsey gave Sammy but he was sick.

Hopefully soon Sammy will get a new friend.

We enjoyed the snow and went sledding several times.

And we gave Service. Which was the most fun of all.

Enjoying my son

We are enjoying Aaron being home so much. Ahh it is wonderful. My son is such a ray of sunshine. He tells me every day usually several times a day how much he loves me. He gives me hugs and kisses and makes me feel so special. He tells me that I am the best mom in the world.

I know I'm not... but in his eyes I truly think he thinks I am. It is so nice to be appreciated and loved.

I am so glad he is home. I am also so glad he went on his mission. Wow he is such an amazing man. His testimony is so strong. When he prays I feel the spirit so strongly. Sunday Aaron bore his testimony and soon Sammy followed. What a great example. The girls are also loving having Aaron home. Aaron just has a loving fun way that makes everyone happier when they are around him.

Neil is enjoying his son so much. It is so fun to see the two of them together. They wrestle and taunt each other, they laugh, watch sports, etc. It makes me smile just being around them. They are so funny. They love their Outback and Tucanos.

These were the places Aaron missed the most.

I am a happy mom. I am trying to enjoy each moment. Life is so uncertain. We don't know what is ahead for us. Life can never be predicted as to what may come our way. But I know that right now in this moment in life. My family is safe, we are together and we are doing our best to enjoy and love one another. I am grateful for the blessing of my family. I thank my Father in Heaven for all of my blessings. The blessings I see and those that go unseen or unnoticed.

I love you Aaron and I am the luckiest mom in the world to have you as my son.

He's Home

He's home... Ok I admit. I lost it when I saw him. The plane was delayed a half an hour which felt like forever. 

Finally the moment is here and we see the missionaries walking towards the esculator. Aaron is the first missionary. Wait...they keep walking past where they should have come down the stairs. The airport workers were trying to tell them where to go and then the workers gave us the wait a minute sign. What is going on?

They were scared...later Aaron told us that they just couldn't come down and they went over to the side and said a prayer. I can't imagine the emotion. They are no longer missionaries. That is sad for them. They are begining a new chapter in their lives.

I was so emotional and I just pushed my way towards Aaron and just cried and held on to him. It was a long yet wonderful two years. Well done my son.

The kids made some great posters.

This was the moment. I was just crying. Neil and Aaron together.
Ahhh my heart is full. Neil couldn't let go.

The girls finally have their big brother home.

Together as a family again.

Welcome Home Aaron

Goodbye for now Shari

My sister in law Shari Warner passed away on Nov 11, 2008. She had just finished her goal of her 50th state and died on the plane coming home from Alaska. Randall (Neil's brother) and Shari met on a plane on their way home from their missions and were married three months later. I guess in some way they ended this earthly life together in the same way they had met.

It was a beautiful service. Randall spoke and he did such a good job. The Warner men sure are amazing. Randall and Shari have 8 children. I hope they all know we love them and are here for them.